LAS VEGAS -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Keynote sessions examining the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast, the latest trends in casino design and successful crisis management will headline the program at G2E Institute next month. Dedicated to providing attendees with in-depth information on the most current and critical issues affecting the gaming-entertainment industry, G2E Institute also will present a deeper look at indoor air quality and its growing importance in casino design at Indoor Air Quality Presentations, sponsored by Airistar Technologies, set for May 11. The G2E Institute will debut here May 9-11, 2006 at the new Red Rock Resort, Spa & Casino.
"G2E Institute's unique educational platform is grounded in critical examinations of real, current issues affecting today's gaming-entertainment industry," said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. "As the cornerstones of this year's conference, the keynote sessions will explore some of our industry's foremost issues and provide invaluable insight on how to address the challenges they present."
Less than nine months since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, casino operators in the region already have made important strides towards restoring what were previously the country's seventh and 15th largest gaming markets in Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans, La. G2E Institute will kick off with 'The Wrath of Katrina: Reconstruction of the Gulf Coast,' a keynote session focusing on the legislative resolutions impacting the rebuilding effort and how operators are recreating, not just reconstructing, their properties in the area. Moderated by Fahrenkopf, panelists will include Tim Hinkley, president & COO of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., and A.J. Holloway, mayor of Biloxi.
Trends in casino design also will take center stage on Wednesday, May 10 at a keynote luncheon. Fred Clarke, FAIA, of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, lead architect on the 4,000 room hotel-casino at the center of MGM Mirage's Project CityCenter, will be the luncheon's keynote speaker.
Thursday's keynote, 'When Bad Things Happen to Good Industries: Turning a Negative Into a Positive,' also will discuss Hurricane Katrina, as well as political scandals, negative publicity and other unforeseen issues that impact the gaming industry. The session, moderated by Alan Feldman, senior vice president of public affairs at MGM Mirage, will use recent events to examine how to handle unexpected challenges, from their initial impact to long-term consequences. Panelists include Manus Cooney, president and founder of Potomac Counsel, LLC; Rico Izaguirre, political director of government affairs at Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.; and Lesley A. Pittman, vice president of corporate and government relations at Station Casinos, Inc.
"G2E Institute is the only event that fully addresses the most important issues and challenges faced by gaming-entertainment industry professionals in their day-to-day work," said Courtney Muller, show manager and group vice president of G2E at Reed Exhibitions. "From the keynotes and special events to the workshop-style conference sessions and unbeatable lineup of subject-matter experts, G2E Institute delivers the right information for the right value to every attendee."
G2E Institute's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Presentations, sponsored by Airistar Technologies, will complement the keynote sessions with a comprehensive look at IAQ issues, the newest generation of filtration technologies and why IAQ is becoming an important consideration in casino design. The IAQ Presentations will feature 'If Smoking is the Problem, is Ventilation the Solution?,' a dedicated conference session led by top IAQ experts focusing on how to manage indoor air quality at gaming facilities. The session also will include presentations from industry representatives who have successfully utilized emerging indoor air quality technologies in their properties, as well one of the leading air-filtration technology vendors. Following this session, Airistar Technologies also will host a presentation.
G2E Institute, the gaming industry's first focused, educational conference to offer interactive workshop-style sessions on a variety of specific industry sectors, is part of the G2E portfolio of events. For more information, and to register and save with Early Bird Discounts at G2E Institute, visit G2Einstitute.com.
Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is the international gaming trade show and conference "by the industry and for the industry." Organized by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions, G2E made its debut in fall 2001, defining itself as the pre-eminent show for the gaming-entertainment industry.
The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.
Reed Exhibitions is a world leader in creating high profile, targeted industry events where buyers and suppliers come together to do business. Every year, Reed events bring together some 90,000 suppliers and over 5.5 million buyers from around the world. Today, Reed events are held in 32 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific, and are organized by 26 fully staffed offices. Reed's portfolio of more than 420 events services 49 industries in 12 key sectors.